The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback situation continues to hover in a fog of uncertainty, and the fan base is growing restless. As spring turns toward summer, the team still doesn’t have a clear plan for 2025 under center.
Yes, Mason Rudolph and sixth-round rookie Will Howard are in the building, but they’re seen more as placeholders than solutions. In the background, however, the name Aaron Rodgers continues to loom — and according to those close to the situation, there’s still real belief that he could be Pittsburgh’s guy next season.
Rodgers Watch: Silence Breeds Frustration
Aaron Rodgers has remained publicly quiet in recent weeks, offering no real timeline or definitive decision. His last notable comments came during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, where he vaguely alluded to “personal issues” that were affecting his ability to commit. He didn’t shut the door on a return. He didn’t open it either. Instead, he left it slightly ajar, and fans have been peeking through it ever since.
The vague updates have done little to calm the nerves in Pittsburgh, where optimism and impatience are colliding. The waiting game feels especially tense for a franchise that believes it’s a quarterback away from contending.
Ian O’Connor Offers Clarity — and Optimism
Thankfully, Steelers fans were given a dose of insight last Friday during an interview on 93.7 The Fan. Ian O’Connor, Rodgers’ biographer and author of Out of the Darkness: The Mystery of Aaron Rodgers, joined the show. O’Connor didn’t promise breaking news, but what he shared was significant.
According to O’Connor, Rodgers is indeed interested in joining the Steelers and holds a deep respect for the organization. More importantly, he revealed that Rodgers’ personal issues — the ones delaying his decision — appear to be resolving.
“If I had $100 to put down,” O’Connor said, “my feeling is he will be in uniform June 10th, for the start of the mandatory minicamp.”
That’s the closest thing to a firm prediction fans have gotten from someone with actual proximity to Rodgers.
O’Connor’s insight carries weight — he spent years studying Rodgers, speaking with hundreds of people for his biography, and knows how the quarterback operates.
Steelers Holding the Line
Despite the growing noise, the Steelers remain confident behind closed doors. According to reports, they are still planning for Rodgers to be their starter in 2025, and nothing has changed in their approach or belief that he’ll ultimately suit up in black and gold. The team has been respectful of Rodgers’ timeline and aware of both the unique nature of the player and the situation.
While public patience is running low, the fact that the organization isn’t panicking is a good sign. They’re not rushing to sign another veteran, and they’re not forcing Will Howard into the spotlight. They’re waiting. That silence, like Rodgers’, speaks volumes.
Countdown to June 10
The date to circle is June 10, the start of mandatory minicamp. That’s the unofficial deadline for clarity. If Rodgers shows up, it’ll confirm the Steelers’ bet and send shockwaves through the league. If he doesn’t, the organization may finally have to pivot to Plan B — whatever that may be.
Until then, the waiting game continues.
But if O’Connor’s read is correct, Steelers Nation might finally get the answer it’s been waiting for. And it may come in the form of a future Hall of Famer walking into training camp with something to prove — and a black and gold jersey on his back.
